Las Vegas Weekly

April 17, 2012 · 10:31 PM

Photos: Peep! Peep! ‘Peepshow’ celebrates 3rd anniversary

By Don Chareunsy

"Peepshow" celebrates its 3rd anniversary with creator, director and choreographer Jerry Mitchell, lead stars Josh Strickland, Cheaza and Holly Madison and the cast and crew at Planet Hollywood on Monday, April 16, 2012.

Photo: Erik Kabik/ErikKabik.com

By Don Chareunsy

The hit topless burlesque “Peepshow” celebrated its 3rd anniversary and more than 1,000 performances at Planet Hollywood on Monday night, and lead stars Cheaza, Josh Strickland and Holly Madison and the cast and crew were joined onstage after the milestone show by Jerry Mitchell, “Peepshow’s” creator and celebrated Broadway director and choreographer.

Since “Peepshow’s” opening in 1999, there have been four Peep Divas (Mel B, Shoshana Bean, Aubrey O’Day and Cheaza) and two Bo Peeps (Kelly Monaco and Madison), not including substitute Angel Porrino when Madison is on vacation. Strickland has been with the show from the start.

“Peepshow” received a rousing standing ovation after Monday’s performance, and it was well deserved. The show has held up well in three years (this journalist has seen the show at least a half-dozen times -- when each guest star has performed).

Madison has never looked or performed better (she seems to be topless longer now, too, guys); Strickland is still a powerhouse (although his voice seemed a bit hoarse Monday night); Cheaza has sass for days as the Peep Diva; and the ladies -- with a few guys thrown in for good measure -- are as sexy (and flexible) as ever. It’s a diverse group of ladies, too.

There have been some changes in three years, and some of the deletions are missed: The live band that performed on a raised level is long gone, taking with it some of the live energy, and the finale used to be fabulously over the top, with disco ball lighting and a scantily clad muscle boy (think Rocky in “The Rocky Horror Picture Show”) in a rotating sphere above the stage.

Nonetheless, “Peepshow” still packs a much and remains on the must-see list. Madison and the cast presented a framed key -- to “Peepshow,” natch -- to Mitchell after the milestone show. “Peepshow” has been voted as the Strip’s “Best Showgirls” and deemed by critics as “the sexiest show on the planet.”

Congratulations to “Peepshow,” and here’s to another 1,000 performances! Thanks to Erik Kabik for his photo gallery of the celebration.

Don Chareunsy is editor of VegasDeLuxe.com and arts and entertainment editor of LasVegasSun.com.

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

Follow VDLX Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter at Twitter.com/VDLXEditorDon.

Follow Robin Leach on Twitter at Twitter.com/Robin_Leach.

Follow Vegas DeLuxe on Twitter at Twitter.com/vegasdeluxe.

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